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Federal election heats up in Alberni

Apr 5, 2024 | 9:22 AM

Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was in Port Alberni yesterday, speaking to workers at Coulson Aviation and Great Central Timber Milling.
With the federal election still more than a year away, he brought his election messages to workers in the Alberni Valley.
“We’re going to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime,” he said. “After eight years, Justin Trudeau’s not worth the cost crime or corruption, and the NDP has betrayed the communities of Vancouver Island to give their vote to Justin Trudeau.”
Poilievre toured the Coulson Aviation manufacturing facility, walking through C-130 Hercules aircraft being turned into forest firefighting waterbombers.
Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns reacted to Poilievre’s Port Alberni visit, questioning the truths behind his messaging.
Johns said Alberni knows too well about the false promises from Conservative MP’s, and said slogans aren’t going to help people suffering from inflation, addictions and crime.
“We had an invisible MP, we didn’t get adequate into our riding, and he cut services to people,” he said. “Slogans aren’t going to fix our problems, nor is electioneering. Right now people need politicians to work together to find solutions to get people the help that they need right now.
Johns said Poilievre should have apologized to the people of Port Alberni for the poor representation received during the Harper government era.
(Photo: Wayne Coulson speaks with Pierre Poilievre during a tour of Coulson Aviation)